Jason Gillespie and Shane Bond were among several overseas players cleared to play county cricket in England this season here on Thursday, despite their links with the 'rebel' Indian Cricket League (ICL).

The ICL is not recognised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the International Cricket Council (ICC).

English authorities had warned that 'no-objection certificates', required by overseas players from their home boards before they could play in county cricket, were unlikely to be issued to anyone who had taken part in the ICL, a rival to the BCCI-backed Indian Premier League.

But following an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) meeting on Wednesday, New Zealand quick Bond, who effectively called time on his international career by signing for the ICL, was given the go-ahead to appear for Hampshire.

Bond will look to bolster an attack weakened by the retirement last month from first-class cricket of former Hampshire captain and Australia leg-spin great Shane Warne.

Former Australia fast bowler Gillespie, another ICL recruit, will turn out for Glamorgan after Cricket Australia said they had nothing to do with them following his retirement from state cricket.

Gloucestershire meanwhile will have Hamish Marshall, the former New Zealand international, in their side.

Marshall, who holds an Irish passport, had initially been refused permission to play for the south-west side because he last appeared for New Zealand on April 8, 2007, eight days after the April 1 cut-off, after he was called up to the Black Caps' World Cup squad in the Caribbean as a replacement for the injured Lou Vincent.

"I am extremely pleased that my registration has been approved by the ECB," Marshall told the CricInfo website. "I am pleased I can now concentrate on my cricket and help make this a great year for Gloucestershire."

However, the ECB didn't use its discretion in the cases of Wavell Hinds, Johan Van der Wath, Andrew Hall and Justin Kemp - all of whom had applied to play county cricket under the Kolpak ruling but were deemed not to have met the required criteria.

Kent, who want to play South Africa international Kemp this season, said they would appeal against the decision.

"We intend to lodge an appeal with the ECB and we expect Justin to travel to the UK to present his case in person," said Kent chief executive Paul Millman.

"He remains totally committed to a long-term career with Kent and we are determined to make it clear to the ECB that English County Cricket is his priority," Millman added.

The Kolpak ruling refers to a European Court of Justice case in 2004.

Its outcome, in cricket terms, means a player from a country with an association agreement with the European Union, who also has a valid UK work permit, is treated as if he were a British or other European citizen and can therefore qualify as a domestic player for county cricket.

England's new season got underway Thursday with the traditional opening match between MCC and the champion county, Sussex, at Lord's.